This ain’t your mama’s 80s perm. Scrunchies, high waisted jeans, and perms.
You’d think we were describing the 90s, but this is happening right now.
So many aesthetics of the past have made their way to 2020 and we’re here for it. One of those trends is the perm. No, we’re not talking about your typical 80s grandmother perm, which is a common misconception of how cute perms can actually be. If you’ve seen enough pictures on Pinterest of adorable perms, you’re probably thinking of getting one. Here’s a helpful guide to rocking your new curls.
A perm is a process that involves using chemicals in your hair to create permanent waves or curls. Typically, a stylist will wrap pieces of your hair around different sized rods depending on the look you’re going for and put perm lotion to set the curl. After the lotion sits for a while, the stylist will take the rods out, rinse your hair, and apply a neutralizer to stop the perming process. As the evolution of beauty continues, there are other methods used to create perms, but this is the default method you’ll see most often.
This will obviously depend on how well you take care of it and the length of your hair, but a perm can last you anywhere from 3-6 months. If you have shorter hair, you may notice the perm looking weird as your straight roots start to grow in. The longer your hair is, the easier it is to get away with the curls for longer.
One of the best methods to making sure your curls stay intact is to air dry. Don’t use heat styling tools on your hair, as you can further damage the follicles. Instead, use a cotton t-shirt to squeeze excess water out of your hair and allow for it to dry naturally. As it’s drying, scrunch your hair and apply your favorite styling cream to keep the curls looking sleek and intact.
You should wait a MINIMUM of 48 hours before washing your hair to allow the curls to really set in your hair. The longer you wait the better it’ll be. You shouldn’t really have to wash your hair for a few days anyway because your curls will look so good!
You’ll soon learn that perms are very resilient, but you can also cause a lot of frizz if you don’t care for it properly. When sleeping, switch your pillowcase to a silk one to keep the frizz at bay. You can also buy a hair wrap that will help your curls last longer and prevent you from having to wash it too often.
You can dye your perm, however it’s typically better (and your stylist will recommend) you dye your hair before you perm it to prevent any unnecessary damage to the follicles. You should wait at least two weeks before bleaching your perm and highly recommend it is always done by a professional who understands how perms work.
Life is short and if you want to get a perm, you should absolutely get one. Always speak with your stylist beforehand and explain the types of curls you want. No one wants to look like an 80s grandma! You can download the MOBILESTYLES App to find a stylist near you that specializes in perms. Enjoy your new curls!
The #1 on-demand health and beauty app connecting you with local, vetted PROs.
With MOBILESTYLES a good time is any time.
